Time-setting device for an electronic timepiece

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to improvements in and relating to timesetting device for an electronic timepiece wherein a mechanical vibrator, preferably a balance wheel tuning fork, a crystal oscillator or the like, used as its time base is kept in its oscillating state by means of electric energy. The invention resides in a time-setting device for an electronic timepiece, comprising a switching means adapted for switching over an electronic timepiece drive circuit from its active and oscillation-maintaining state for a mechanical oscillator acting as a time base of the timepiece, to its unactive and nonenergizing state for the mechanical oscillator, and mechanical positioning means for a time-settable stem of said timepiece adapted for axially positioning the stem at its several axial positions including a time-setting one, said device being characterized by that the most drawn-out position of said stem is other than said time-setting one and where said switching means is kept in its ineffect position.

llnlted stateS Patent 1 1 lfiomlyama et al.

1 1 Oct. 2, 1973 1 1 TIME-SETTING DEVICE FOR AN ELECTRONIC TlMEPlECE[75] Inventors: Katsuhiko Komiyama; Yoshio llinuma, both of Tokyo, JapanCitizen Watch Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan 221 Filed: Feb. 18,1972

1211 App1.No.:227,535

[73] Assignee:

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data July 12, 1971 Japan 46/51635 [52]US. Cl 58/23 R, 58/58, 58/85.5, 58/63 [51] llnt. Cl G04c 3/00 [58]lField of Search 58/85.5, 63-72, 58/23 R, 58

[56] Reierences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,059,412 10/1962 Epperlein58/85.5 X 3,421,312 1/1969 Raval 58/85.5 3,526,088 9/1970 Meitinger58/85.5 X

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATlONS 1,094,666 12/1960 Germany 58/85.5

Primary Examiner-Stephen J. Tomsky Assistant Examiner-U. WeldonAtl0rneySughrue, Rothwell et al.

[57] ABSTRACT This invention relates to improvements in and relating totime-setting device for an electronic timepiece wherein a mechanicalvibrator, preferably a balance wheel tuning fork, a crystal oscillatoror the like, used as its time base is kept in its oscillating state bymeans of electric energy.

The invention resides in a time-setting device for an electronictimepiece, comprising a switching means adapted for switching over anelectronic timepiece drive circuit from its active andoscillation-maintaining state for a mechanical oscillator acting as atime base 1 of the timepiece, to its unactive and non-energizing statefor the mechanical oscillator, and mechanical positioning means for atime-settable stem of said timepiece adapted for axially positioning thestem at its several axial positions including a time-setting one, saiddevice being characterized by that the most drawn-out position of saidstem is other than said time-setting one and where said switching meansis kept in its ineffect position.

7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures SHEET 1 [IF 2 TIME-SETTING DEVICE FOR ANELECTRONIC TIMEPIECE This invention relates to improvements in andrelating to time-setting device for an electronic timepiece wherein amechanical vibrator, preferably a balance wheel tuning fork, a crystaloscillator or the like, used as its time base is kept in its oscillatingstate by means of electric energy.

Conventional electronic watches are so designed and arranged that withits time-settable stern pushed into its axially settable innermostposition, electric switching means for on-off control of the electronicdrive circuit for maintaining the oscillation of said mechanicalvibrator is kept in its service position so that a rotation of the stemcan not bring any operational effect upon the timepiece movement. When,however, the timepiece is fitted with a date calendar display means, aquick date calendar correcting service can be per formed at theinnermostly set position of the stem.

With the stem drawn-out to its first axially shiftable step position,the seconds hand can be brought to its dead stop position and a rotationof the stem can invite a time-setting operation. In addition to saidstopping possibility for the seconds hand and to the time-settablechance, drive current interruption generally takes place at this firststep position of the stem in the case of an electronic timepiece.

When there is no source current interrupting means is not fitted with,considerable and useless consumption of source battery and the like mainworking parts may be encountered in case of a long and extended non-useof the timepiece, for instance, during a preservation period thereof.

On the other hand, when the source current interruption can be performedat the said first step drawn-out position of the stern, in addition tothe seconds hand stoppage and the time-setting possibilities, as was setforth hereinabove, the time-setting operation will bring the mechanicalvibrator as the time base of the timepiece will be brought into out oftime-keeping oscillation, even at a shortest period.

Therefore, when the timepiece wearer should make a time-settingoperation and then push the stem back into its axially settableinnermost position for bringing the timepiece movement into its regularstepping movement, there must be a certain time lag for recovery of theregularly oscillating operation for the mechanical vibrator. Therefore,an elaborate time-setting operation will invite an erroneous timedisplay in contradiction to the expectation of the operator.

The main object of the invention is to provide an improved time-settingmechanism for an electronic timepiece having a mechanical vibrator ofthe above kind, which mechanism is, however, devoid of theaforementioned various conventional draw-backs.

The invention resides in its broadest aspect in such a time-settingdevice for an electronic timepiece, comprising a switching means adaptedfor switching over an electronic timepiece drive circuit from its activeand oscillation-maintaining state for a mechanical oscillator acting asa time base of the timepiece, to its unactive and non-energizing statefor the mechanical oscillator, and mechanical positioning means for atime-settable stem of said timepiece adapted for axially positioning thestem at its several axial positions including a timesetting one, saiddevice being characterized by that the most drawn-out position of saidstem is other than said time-setting one and where said switching meansis kept in its ineffect position.

The mechanism according to this invention may be so designed andarranged that said switching means can completely cut off the electricdrive current, when the stem is set to its current-interruptingposition. Or alternatively, a weak current, say the dark current, canflow through the transistor or transistors contained in the electronicdrive circuit, when the said switching means is brought into its sourcecurrent cut-off position and the mechanical vibrator is brought into itsdead stop state.

This and further objects, features and advantages of the invention willbecome more apparent when read the following detailed description of theinvention by reference to the accompanying drawings illustrative ofsubstantially a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a partial plan view of an electronic timepiece movementemploying the time-setting device according to this invention, certainelements such as the electronic circuit employed therein being shown,however, in a schematic block diagram added thereto, wherein thetime-settable stem is shown at its innermost pushed-in position.

FIG. 2 is a substantially similar view to FIG. 1 wherein, however, thestem has been set to its first drawn-out step position.

FIG. 3 is a substantially similar view to FIG. 2 wherein, however, thestem has been set to its second or outermost drawn-out position.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged and combined sectional view, the sections beingtaken substantially along respective section lines IV-IV and IV-IV".

FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of the inner or actuating end part of asetting lever spring employed in the time-setting device according tothis invention.

In the following, a preferred embodiment of the invention will bedescribed in detail by reference to the accompanying drawings.

In this embodiment, the invention has been incorporated in an electronicwatch having a time base mechanical oscillator in the form of tuningfork, in no limited sense to the invention, because the timepiece can befitted with other type of oscillator, such as, for instance, balancewheel, crystal oscillator or the like.

In the drawing, numeral ll represents partially a conventional pillarplate which mounts a winding stem 2 rotatably and slidably in a groovela, formed in the plate 1, as is commonly known to those skilled in theart. The stem 2 is rigidly fitted with a serrated crown 2a at its outerend, a ring groove 2b, a square part 2c at its intermediate portions anda reduced end part 2d.

Numeral 3 represents a conventional setting lever having a pinned end 3akept permanently with said ring groove 2b on stem 2, a conventionalpositioning pin 3b adapted for engagement with recessed end of springarm 8d of a conventional cheekor setting lever spring 8, a switching cam30 for on-off control of switch contacts 16a and 17a, and a settinglever cam 311, said setting lever being fixedly attached with a pin 3ewhich is rotatably mounted on the plate I.

Numeral 4 represents a date calendar display correction wheel is looselymounted on the stem 2 and formed with a radial tooth 4a adapted forperforming the date correction service as will be mentioned hereinaftermore in detail, and with a series of axial clutch teeth 4b.

Numeral 5 is a conventional clutch wheel which is axially slidablymounted on said square part 2c of the stem 2, thus being rotatable inunison therewith. This clutch wheel 5 is selectively engageable eitherwith said date correction wheel 4 or with a conventional setting sheel 6which is permanently kept in meshing with a conventional minute wheel,not shown.

The clutch lever 7 is pivotable around a pin la which is studded on theplate 1, said clutch lever being subjected to a resilient turning momentin clockwise direction in FIG. 1 under the action of a U-shaped spring7b which is held in precompression between a recessed wall 101 formed onthe pillar plate 1 and the clutch lever. The clutch lever is formed witha curved head 7a kept in pressure contact with said clutch lever cam 3dof the setting lever 3. The lever 7 is kept at its intermediate portionin engagement with a ring groove 5a formed on the clutch wheel 5. Thespring arm 8d is formed with three successive recesses 8a, 8b and 80which are adapted for engagement with said positioning pin 3b on settinglever 3, so as to control the position thereof, as was briefly hintedhereinbefore. The cheekor setting lever spring 8 is rigidly mounted onthe pillar plate 1 by means of said pin la and screw means 100.

Numeral 9 denotes a seconds hand stop lever which is formed into a bellcrank as shown and pivotably mounted by a pin lb studded on the plate I,said stop lever being provided with a pin 9a fixedly mounted on its onearm, an actuating part 9b formed into a bentdown flange on the outer endof the other arm, and a recess 9c formed at an intermediate portion ofthe stop lever and adapted for engagement with the reduced miner end 2dof the winding stem.

A U-shaped lever spring 10 is inserted under a precompression between arecessed wall 102 only partially and schematically shown in FIGS. l-3,and projection 9d formed on the stop lever 9 which is thus subjected toa resilient turning moment in counter clockwise direction in thesefigures. With the winding stem 2 kept in its most pushed-in neutralposition shown in FIG. 1, one side wall of said recess 9c on the stoplever 9 is kept in pressure contact with the reduced end 2d of stem 2.

Numeral 11 represents a resilient stop pawl which is attached with itsroot end fixedly to a mounting pin 103 mounted in turn by a mounting arm104 partially and only schematically shown, and cooperates by its tipend with a drive ratchet wheel 14 called frequently index wheel" amongthose skilled in the art, said arm 104 being fixedly mounted on the backsurface of the plate 1, although not shown by virtue of its verypopularity. The wheel 14 is rotatably supported by the plate 1, and atrain bridge 105 as shown specifically in FIG. 4.

A feed pawl 12 cooperating with said wheel 14 is mounted fixedly by itsroot end on one arm ofa tuning fork 13 shown only partially, said tuningfork being mounted on the plate 1 as conventionally, although not shown.

A circular disc 15 fixed on a seconds hand wheel shaft, not shown andarranged to cooperate with the actuating part 9b of stop lever 9.

A first base element 16 is made integral with the resilient arm contact16a and fixedly attached by means of rivets 105 and 106 to a mountingplate 107 which mounts in turn a conventional electronic circuit block18 only schematically shown by a reduced rectangular block only in FIG.1.

This circuit block 18 comprises at least a transistor, several resistorsand several capacitors, so to form a sensing and driving electroniccircuit, although not shown by virtue of its very popularity.

A second base element 17 made integral with the resilient arm contact17a is fixedly mounted on pillar plate 1 by means of pin 108 and screw109. These contacts 16a and 17a are connected in series to said block 18and a source battery 19 as shown in FIG. 1 by means of conductor means110 which is shown in its crosssection also in FIG. 4.

The operation of the mechanism so far shown and described is as follows.

In FIG. 1, the winding stem 2 and its related parts are shown when thestern has been pushed-in into its innermost position.

In this position, positioning pin 3b on setting lever 3 is kept inengagement with the top recess 8a on spring arm 8d and clutch lever 7 isheld at its most pivoted position in clockwise direction in FIGS. l-3,while date correction wheel 4 and clutch wheel 5 are kept intooth-meshing with each other as shown.

By turning the crown 2a and stem 2 in clockwise when seen from upper inFIG. 1 as shown by an arrow Q," date correction wheel 4 is rotated inunison therewith and the correction pawl 4a thereon will be brought intocooperation with a date calendar display 111 dial which is shown in FIG.1 only partially and schematically, for feeding the dial by one toothpitch corresponding to a complete calendar date, for every completerotation of said stem 2.

Under the operating conditions shown in FIG. 1 switching cam part SC onsetting lever 3 is kept in pressure contact with one contact 17a, so asto bring the both contacts 16a; 17a into contact with each other, forcompleting the electronic circuit including the block 18 and sourcebattery 19.

On the other hand, the reduced stern part 2d is brought into and kept inengagement with the recess 90 on stop lever 9, as was briefly hintedhereinbefore. Since, in this case, the lever 9 is so positioned that thepin 90 thereof is separated from contact with stop pawl 11, and theactuating part 9b of the same lever 9 is also separated from contactwith the disc 15, the timekeeping and time-display gear train which isdriven from the sprocket wheel 14 is not subjected to any checkingresistance from these parts so that the timepiece movement can performits regular stepping movement without hindrance.

In FIG. 2, the stem 2 is shown in its first pulled-out position.

In this case, positioning pin 3b on setting lever 3 is kept inengagement with the second and middle recess 8b so that clutch lever 7is held at its most counter clockwise rotated position when seen inFIGS. 1-3. In this position, clutch wheel 5 is brought into engagementwith setting wheel 6 so that any desired timesetting operation may becarried out without hindrance by turning the crown 2a and stem 2 eitherin clockwise or counter clockwise direction as desired and to anydesired degree.

Although in this case, the contacts and 17a are kept in pressure contactwith each other as before, stop lever 9 is kept in separation fromengagement with stem end 2d, the same lever 9 being turned clockwiseunder the action of spring and pin 9a acting upon stop pawl Ill so thatthe stop pawl I1 is separated from its cooperating position withsprocket wheel 14 upon being resiliently flexed. On the other hand,actuating part 9b is brought into pressure contact with disc 15, thusthe seconds hand shaft, not shown, made rigid therewith, being subjectedto a substantial friction to such a degree that the movement of the geartrain and thus all the time-display hands related with the seconds handis brought into stoppage. It will be understood that even at this stage,the tuning fork 3 acts to oscillate as regularly.

It may be further understood when the stem 2 is pushed-in again into theposition shown in FIG. I, the timepiece movement can restart instantlythe regular time-keeping movement.

When it is desired to bring the timepiece movement into its dead stopposition, the stem 2 is drawn-out further from that shown in FIG. 2 intothat shown in FIG.

In this position, positioning pin 3b on setting lever 3 is brought intothe remaining third recess 80 on the spring so that clutch lever 7 isturned slightly clockwise from the position shown in FIG. 2.

In this position, clutch wheel 5 is kept in separation from the wheels 4and 6. Under these operational conditions, the inherent resiliency ofcontact 17a will release it from contact with its mating contact 116a,thus the electronic circuit being electrically interrupted from sourcebattery 19. The seconds hand stop lever 9 is kept at the same positionas shown in FIG. 2, thus the timepiece movement being kept at its deadstop.

A modification, the setting lever spring 8 may be fabricated in suchshape as shown in a partially enlarged form in FIG. 5. In thismodification, the projection 82 defined by and between two engageablerecesses 8a and 8b is shaped so as to have a substantially taller heightthan employed in the foregoing. Or alternatively, it is shifted tooccupy a rather nearer position to the first recess 8a, as shown at 8ein chain-dotted line in FIG. 5. With this modified form of theprojection 8e or See, a mechanical vibration effect can be appliedreversedly to the mechanical vibrator when the stem 2 has been axiallyshifted from the position with the positioning pin 3b kept in engagementwith third recess SC for keeping the timepiece movement in its deadstop, to the utmost pushed-in position, thus providing an effieient andpowerful assisting means to bring the mechanical oscillator into itsregular and stabilized oscillating state. In FIG. 5, the dotted linebelow the fulllined projection 82 represents the foregoing configurationof the corresponding projection adopted in the foregoing.

As may be well understood from the foregoing that according to theteachings of the present invention, otherwise practically unavoidableand uneconomical consumption of the source battery or the like mainworking parts of the electronic timepiece which may be encountered inthe case of long term non-use thereof, for instance, during the periodof preservation of the timepiece, can be completely prevented and themechanical oscillator, for instance, electromagnetically driven tuningfork, of an electronic watch, can be effectively kept at itsstabilizedly oscillating conditions even when a time-setting operationis being carried into effeet, and therefore, an accurate and precisetimesetting job can be realized.

What is claimed is:

l. Time-setting device for an electronic timepiece. comprising aswitching means adapted for switching over an electronic timepiece drivecircuit from its active and oscillation-maintaining state for amechanical oscillator acting as a time base of the timepiece, to itsunactive and non-energizing state for the mechanical oscillator, andmechanical positioning means for a time-settable stern of said timepieceadapted for axially positioning the stem at its several axial positionsincluding a time-setting one, said device being characterized by thatthe most drawn-out position of said stem (2) is other than saidtime-setting one and where said switching means (3)(16)(I7) is kept inits ineffect position.

2. Time-setting device as claimed in claim I, characterized by that saidswitching means comprises two resilient contact arms (16a; 17a) and apart (3) of said switching means is so designed and arranged as tomechanically cooperate with said stem (2) and act upon selected one(17a) of said contact arms (16a; 17a) for on-off control thereof byresiliently flexing the selected contact, or the both.

3. Time-setting device as claimed in claim 2, characterized by that saidpart comprises a setting lever (3) which is provided with a pin (3b)adapted for engagement with a spring arm part (8d) of a setting leverspring (8).

4. Time-setting device as set forth in claim 3, having a tuning forkacting as its time-base and said spring arm (8d) of said setting leverspring (8) being formed with undulations (8a; 8b; adapted for engagementwith said pin (3b), said device being characterized by that saidundulations (8a; 8b; 8c) are so designed and arranged that when the stem(2) is drawn from its outermost drawn-out position to its any one ofaxially inner positions, mechanical oscillation is given to said tuningfork (113) for substantially assisting oscillating start thereof.

5. Time-setting device as claimed in claim 1, characterized by that aclutch wheel is mounted on said stern axially slidable thereof androtatable in unison thereof, said clutch wheel being mounted between adate correction wheel mounted on said stem in an idle way and a settingwheel rotatably mounted on a pillar plate of said timepiece and theaxial position of said clutch wheel on said stem being set by turningmovement of a setting lever which is kept in cooperation with the stem.

6. Time-setting device as claimed in claim 5, characterized by that whensaid clutch wheel is set to its position kept in separation from saiddate correction wheel and said setting wheel, said electronic drivecircuit is cut-off from a source battery.

7. Time-setting device for an electronic timepiece, comprising incombination:

a rotatable and axially shiftable stem,

a mechanical vibrator,

a positioning means for positioning said stem at its several axialpositions thereof,

an electronic drive circuit for said timepiece,

means for switching over for said electronic drive circuit for switchingover between its active state for maintaining said mechanical vibratorin its oscillating state and its inactive state,

the outermost drawn-out position of said stem being other than that ofsaid stem adapted for making a time-setting operation and saidswitching-over to said ineffective state of said circuit being carriedout at the outermost drawn-out position of said stem.

1. Time-setting device for an electronic timepiece, comprising aswitching means adapted for switching over an electronic timepiece drivecircuit from its active and oscillationmaintaining state for amechanical oscillator acting as a time base of the timepiece, to itsunactive and non-energizing state for the mechanical oscillator, andmechanical positioning means for a time-settable stem of said timepieceadapted for axially positioning the stem at its several axial positionsincluding a time-setting one, said device being characterized by thatthe most drawn-out position of said stem (2) is other than saidtimesetting one and where said switching means (3)(16)(17) is kept inits ineffect position.
 2. Time-setting device as claimed in claim 1,characterized by that said switching means comprises two resilientcontact arms (16a; 17a) and a part (3) of said switching means is sodesigned and arranged as to mechanically cooperate with saiD stem (2)and act upon selected one (17a) of said contact arms (16a; 17a) foron-off control thereof by resiliently flexing the selected contact, orthe both.
 3. Time-setting device as claimed in claim 2, characterized bythat said part comprises a setting lever (3) which is provided with apin (3b) adapted for engagement with a spring arm part (8d) of a settinglever spring (8).
 4. Time-setting device as set forth in claim 3, havinga tuning fork acting as its time-base and said spring arm (8d) of saidsetting lever spring (8) being formed with undulations (8a; 8b; 8c)adapted for engagement with said pin (3b), said device beingcharacterized by that said undulations (8a; 8b; 8c) are so designed andarranged that when the stem (2) is drawn from its outermost drawn-outposition to its any one of axially inner positions, mechanicaloscillation is given to said tuning fork (13) for substantiallyassisting oscillating start thereof.
 5. Time-setting device as claimedin claim 1, characterized by that a clutch wheel is mounted on said stemaxially slidable thereof and rotatable in unison thereof, said clutchwheel being mounted between a date correction wheel mounted on said stemin an idle way and a setting wheel rotatably mounted on a pillar plateof said timepiece and the axial position of said clutch wheel on saidstem being set by turning movement of a setting lever which is kept incooperation with the stem.
 6. Time-setting device as claimed in claim 5,characterized by that when said clutch wheel is set to its position keptin separation from said date correction wheel and said setting wheel,said electronic drive circuit is cut-off from a source battery. 7.Time-setting device for an electronic timepiece, comprising incombination: a rotatable and axially shiftable stem, a mechanicalvibrator, a positioning means for positioning said stem at its severalaxial positions thereof, an electronic drive circuit for said timepiece,means for switching over for said electronic drive circuit for switchingover between its active state for maintaining said mechanical vibratorin its oscillating state and its inactive state, the outermost drawn-outposition of said stem being other than that of said stem adapted formaking a time-setting operation and said switching-over to saidineffective state of said circuit being carried out at the outermostdrawn-out position of said stem.